Publication requirements make this a “note” which I will have written well before it will be in print. But, the two points of focus for me today are fairly “timeless.” As Catholic Christians, we celebrate at this time each year the Solemnity of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. In our nation, we recall each year at this time one of the earliest recorded communal events celebrated by our ancestors on these shores – given thanks to God for having arrived and for having survived.
Certainly our own sense of well being as we give thanks to God on each of these two days carries within it the longing or hunger for genuine freedom for which those first pilgrims came to this promising yet foreboding land. But in our own individual lives and our shared life as Church, there is an understanding and appreciation of genuine freedom that is shaped by the dominion of Christ which we also celebrate. Every gift given is given for the sake of how its use will give glory to God, with raise up the neighbor who is bowed down, will strengthen our own hearts and limbs when we are burdened.
Whether considering our families, our neighborhood, our parish, our state or our nation, there probably is a lasting or a newly appearing burden that could cause our gaze to be downcast. And yet, with the gifts scattered within and among us, with a true commitment to address reality in our world according to the truth and strength of those gifts, the One Who has dominion over us find reason to rejoice in us. Can you imagine it?!?! God finds reason to rejoice in us! And ours is a King whose crown is thorns. Ours is a King whose tribute is justice and mercy. Ours is a King whose greatest joy is giving us reason to rejoice!